In Malice, an episode of The Whistler, we are introduced to Dr. Jacob Benton, the wealthiest and most esteemed physician in his town. Jacob is a proud man, intent on ensuring that his son, Tom, follows in his footsteps as a surgeon. However, Tom's heart has strayed from the path his father envisioned for him; he has fallen in love with Neeta, a girl from the East Bottoms, a neighborhood shunned by Jacob and his social circle. Jacob's disdain for Neeta grows as he learns that Tom has abandoned his medical studies for her, leading to a clash between father and son over love and ambition.